Calling the moment bittersweet, President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcomed thousands of children and their families to the South Lawn of the White House Monday morning for the annual Easter Egg Roll.

The egg rolling began in 1878. Now the event includes storytelling, musical performances and tips from professional athletes on how to play basketball, tennis and other sports. There are even cooking demonstrations and yoga. This year, the first lady added a fun run to the mix.

“I’m going to be running around the White House with a bunch of kids and any adults who feel like they can hang,” the first lady told the crowd Monday morning as the president jokingly signaled in the background that the run wasn’t for him.

The Obamas spoke from a balcony that overlooks the lawn with their dogs, Bo and Sunny, and an Easter Bunny character at their side.

More than 35,000 people received tickets that allowed them to walk on the South Lawn of the White House, rain or shine. Fortunately, the sun broke through mid-morning after a night of scattered rain showers.

The theme of this year’s event is “Let’s celebrate.” The first lady said she wanted to celebrate families and the nation on her husband’s last Easter in office.

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive to speak to the crowd as an Easter Bunny character looks on at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn on March 28, 2016, in Washington. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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Guests attend

Guests attend the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House in Washington. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

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Waving to the crowd

The Obamas wave upon arriving at their final time hosting the White House Easter Egg Roll at the White House in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

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Idina Menzel sings the national anthem

Idina Menzel sings the national anthem as first lady Michelle Obama, President Obama and the Easter Bunny character hold their hands over their hearts on the Truman Balcony during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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A young boy points

A young boy sits on a man’s shoulders on the South Lawn at the White House Easter Egg Roll. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

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President Obama speaks to the crowd

President Obama speaks to the crowd as first lady Michelle Obama and the Easter Bunny character watch on the Truman Balcony during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

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Children watch

Children attend the White House Easter Egg Roll. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

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Overcome with emotion

President Obama pretends to be overcome with emotion as Michelle Obama talks about this being the Obamas final White House Easter Egg Roll. The Easter Bunny character looks on. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

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A child sits on a man’s shoulders

A child sits on a man’s shoulders at the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

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Kisses

President Obama kisses the first lady after they spoke to the crowd at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

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A frog and a child interact

A frog character interacts with a child as they attend the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

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The Easter Bunny leads the way

President Obama and the first lady walk down the stairs with the Easter Bunny during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images)

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On the South Lawn

President Obama greets guests on the South Lawn during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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High-fives

President Obama collects high-fives from children after reading a book to them at the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

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Greeting guests

President Obama lifts Stella Munoz into the air while greeting guests on the South Lawn during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

President Obama blows starting whistle for a group of children during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Grasping an egg carefully

A child participates in the White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

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The start

President Obama and Michelle Obama attend the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. (Kris Connor/WireImage/Getty Images)

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Cheering on a group of children

President Obama cheers on a group of children during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Balancing eggs

Children take part in the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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Nearing the finish

President Obama and the first lady attend the White House Easter Egg Roll. (Kris Connor/WireImage/Getty Images)

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At the egg-rolling station

President Obama high-fives children at the egg-rolling station during the White House Easter Egg Roll. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

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Start of the obstacle course

First lady Michelle Obama blows a whistle to start an obstacle course race in the Rose Garden of the White House. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

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Cheering on children

The first lady cheers on children as they run through an obstacle course in the Rose Garden of the White House. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

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Posing for a picture

President Obama poses for a picture with former basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, reality TV personality Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander and an unidentified child on the basketball court at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

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Running during the relay race

First lady Michelle Obama runs during a children’s relay race in the Rose Garden of the White House. (Yuri Gripas/Reuters)

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On the basketball court

President Obama gets into a defensive stance while talking to children on the basketball court during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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Stormtroopers and a Secret Service agent

A Secret Service agent stands in front of Stormtroopers during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. (Olivier Douliery/Pool/Getty Images)

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Playing tennis

President Obama plays tennis with children during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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White bows

Children attend the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

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Laughing on the tennis court

President Obama laughs while playing tennis with children during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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Mingling with families

Presidential characters are seen in the crowd during the White House Easter Egg Roll. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

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A roaring good time

First lady Michelle Obama and President Obama perform a reading of the children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are” for young people gathered at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

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Waiting for the president

Families await the arrival of President Obama at the White House Easter Egg Roll. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

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Bunny ears

Two people wearing large bunny ears wait for President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and the Easter Bunny at the White House Easter Egg Roll. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

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Stacked Easter eggs

Cartons of Easter eggs are stacked on the South Lawn of the White House before the annual Easter Egg Roll. (Andrew Harnik/AP)